Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored a 91st-minute winner as Chelsea came from behind to record a 2-1 victory over Cardiff City in Sunday afternoon's Premier League clash in Wales.
Victor Camarasa's 46th-minute effort looked to be securing a huge three points for Neil Warnock's side, but Cesar Azpilicueta levelled the scores in the 84th minute before Loftus-Cheek broke Cardiff hearts late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's live coverage of the action below.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Cardiff City and Chelsea from Wales. Cardiff will enter the match in 18th position in the table, five points off 17th-placed Burnley but with two games in hand. Chelsea, meanwhile, occupy sixth, four points off fourth-placed Manchester United. Stay tuned for the action!
TEAMS!
CARDIFF: Etheridge; Peltier, Morrison, Manga, Bennett; Murphy, Camarasa, Gunnarsson, Arter, Hoilett; Niasse
CHELSEA: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Kovacic, Jorginho, Barkley; Pedro, Higuain, Willian
In what is Cardiff's first match since beating West Ham United 2-0 on March 9, head coach Neil Warnock has selected the same XI. Oumar Niasse will again lead the line with support from David Hoilett and Josh Murphy, with the likes of Kenneth Zohore and Bobby Reid on the bench.
As for Chelsea, Callum Hudson-Odoi's exploits for England have not earned the attacker a start. Pedro and Willian will join Gonzalo Higuain in the final third, with Eden Hazard on the bench. N'Golo Kante is also left out of the starting XI, allowing Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic to both feature. Chelsea will be in a 4-3-3 formation this afternoon.
KICKOFF: Chelsea kick things off in Wales...
... Chelsea's away form in 2019 has been pretty rotten and Cardiff will provide stern opposition this afternoon. It should be a fascinating battle and the atmosphere is absolutely terrific.
Just a few signs that Chelsea are starting to settle here as they enjoy possession in Cardiff's half of the field. Barkley has just driven forward before attempting to deliver, but Manga is on hand to make the block. The Blues can threaten from the first corner of the match here...
... nothing comes of it. Cardiff clear before Jorginho fouls Murphy.
Just a reminder that Hazard is on the bench for Chelsea this afternoon, alongside Kante. It is a huge surprise that Hudson-Odoi has not started as he will be full of confidence following his excellent performance for England against Montenegro on Monday night.
Not too much going forward from Cardiff in the first nine minutes, with Niasse fairly isolated. The home side do not need to chase the match, though, as opportunities will arrive.
Possession football from Chelsea at the moment, but not much else. Neither goalkeeper has been called into action in the first 11 minutes, while there has been limited attacking spells.
CLOSE! Pedro's dipping strike from distance just misses the crossbar.
CLOSE! So close! Cardiff come close to taking the lead as Murphy finds space inside the Chelsea box before looking to pick out the far corner, but his effort is just wide!
Much more of an open game now with neither defence looking secure. You do get the feeling that the first goal this afternoon - if there indeed is one - will be vital. Still goalless for the minute.
SHOT! Rudiger strikes harmlessly wide of the Cardiff post from distance.
Chelsea have had more than 70% of the ball in the first 19 minutes, but have not registered a shot on target. The jury remains out on Sarri, who has today been linked with Roma.
Pass, pass, pass from Chelsea as they continue to move the ball, but Cardiff are sitting deep and defending well. Not too much from the home side on the counter-attack, though.
Chelsea really need to move the ball quicker here; it is all far too slow.
YELLOW CARD! Jorginho (Chelsea) is booked for a foul on Murphy.
I wish I could say that this is all-action and brilliant to watch but that has just not been the case. It has been a poor 28 minutes of Premier League football with little to note.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Chelsea are still dominating the ball without offering too much of a threat. Cardiff are just sitting deep and defending, meanwhile.
Chelsea go absolutely nowhere after keeping the ball for a minute or two. The football is not great to watch at the moment - is Jorginho really better than Kante in that area of the field? He was excellent for Napoli, but has not yet convinced in the blue of Chelsea, that's for sure.
SAVE! Comfortable save for Kepa to keep out Peltier's effort.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Murphy converts for Cardiff, but the offside flag had been raised.
Still goalless with 35 minutes on the clock and Cardiff will be pleased with how this match is progressing. Set pieces or a break are seemingly the home side's best chance of making the breakthrough, particularly with Chelsea committing players forward when they have the ball.
Chelsea might well need Hazard to come on and save this in the second period, which is not ideal. Or what about Hudson-Odoi?! Pedro and Willian have both been very poor indeed.
Chelsea have a free kick in a dangerous area as Peltier brings Willian to the deck...
SHOT! ... Willian's effort misses the post.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and Cardiff have just had a little spell of pressure, but it came to an end before Willian had a cross deflected behind down the other end.
CLOSE! Alonso pokes a low Willian cross wide of the post.
Better from Chelsea in the last few minutes, but Cardiff continue to defend well and Bennett has just won a free kick inside his own half after taking the ball away from Pedro.
Chelsea continue to move the ball as we approach the end of the first period.
CLOSE! Niasse sees his header from a Hoilett cross miss the Chelsea goal.
HALF TIME: CARDIFF 0-0 CHELSEA
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Chelsea have had the best of it, but it has been a fairly poor first 45 minutes all round. Sarri will surely be looking for much more in the second half of this Premier League clash.
STATISTICS! Chelsea had 74% of the possession in the first half and managed six attempts, but none of those were on target. Cardiff, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their four attempts. Just the one yellow card to report, with Jorginho in the book for the away side here.
BENCH WATCH! Chelsea have a whole host of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with Giroud, Hazard, Hudson-Odoi, Kante and Loftus-Cheek all available. Cardiff, meanwhile, have the likes of Bacuna, Mendez-Laing, Reid and Zohore in reserve. Plenty of talent there!
KICKOFF: Cardiff resume the action here...
GOAL! ... CARDIFF 1-0 CHELSEA (CAMARASA)
Oh my goodness me, what a goal! Cardiff take the lead moments into the second period as Camarasa finds the back of the net with a quite wonderful finish! A cross comes into the Chelsea box and the Spaniard sends a first-time finish past Kepa for the opening goal.
SHOT! Higuain strikes well wide of the Cardiff post from distance.
There is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, but the goal does seem to have woken Chelsea up, with the Blues moving the ball quicker in the final third of the field.
Hazard will soon enter the field for Chelsea here.
CHELSEA SUB! Hazard replaces Pedro for the away side.
YELLOW CARD! Arter (Cardiff) is booked for chopping Hazard to the ground.
Luiz's free kick is straight into the Cardiff wall.
SHOT! Hoilett misses the post following a quick break from the home side.
Still more than 30 minutes of football to play here and plenty is happening. It has not the best match in the first half, but Chelsea are now having to throw players forward here, which is leaving space for Cardiff down the other end. A second for the home side would be huge.
Hudson-Odoi will surely be in the thoughts of Sarri. Or will he? You never know!
YELLOW CARD! Azpilicueta (Chelsea) is booked for a tug on Hoilett.
Cardiff threaten with two corners in quick succession, but Chelsea manage to clear their lines. It must be said that the Blues look incredibly suspect from high balls into their box.
CLOSE! Kovacic misses the goal from distance as Chelsea prepare another change.
CHELSEA SUB! Loftus-Cheek replaces Jorginho for the away side.
Cardiff manage to scramble the ball clear inside their own box after more good work from Hazard. Niasse is the outlet down the other end, but Luiz is across to make the clearance.
Little over 20 minutes of the match remaining and Cardiff remain one goal ahead. Chelsea are really forcing the issue at the moment, though, with Hazard and Loftus-Cheek both dangerous.
Cardiff are sinking very deep at the moment as Chelsea continue to move the ball.
Chelsea threaten with two corners in quick succession, but Cardiff clear their lines, with Morrison up on the second occasion to thump clear. The home side cannot get out, though.
Hudson-Odoi might be coming on for Chelsea, but Giroud has also been called back.
CLOSE! Willian just misses the Cardiff post with a low strike!
SHOT! Higuain has a powerful strike blocked behind by Morrison.
CHELSEA SUB! Giroud replaces Higuain for the away side.
The Chelsea fans are absolutely furious that Hudson-Odoi has not been used here.
The Chelsea fans are making it clear that they want Sarri out; they just cannot believe that Hudson-Odoi has not been used as the Blues continue to chase this game. Still a solid 10 minutes of football remaining and you do get the feeling that there is another goal in it.
CARDIFF SUB! Arter is replaced by Ralls for the home side.
The Chelsea fans continue to chant 'we want Sarri out!'
GOAL! CARDIFF 1-1 CHELSEA (AZPILICUETA)
Chelsea level the scores in the 84th minute as Azpilicueta heads home from close range, but the Spanish defender was clearly offside. It is a terrible decision from the officials here!
YELLOW CARD! Ralls (Cardiff) is booked for a foul on Hazard.
YELLOW CARD! Rudiger (Chelsea) is booked for bringing Zohore to the ground with a rash challenge. The home side wanted a red card, but Kepa was close. Massive call in this match.
CARDIFF SUB! Murphy is replaced by Mendez-Laing for the home side.
GOAL! CARDIFF 1-2 CHELSEA (LOFTUS-CHEEK)
Chelsea might well have won this match as Loftus-Cheek heads a far-post cross into the bottom corner of the net. Incredible turnaround and Cardiff just cannot believe it.
SHOT! Barkley strikes over the Cardiff crossbar as Chelsea go in search of a third here.
Little over two minutes for Cardiff to find a leveller here.
SAVE! Kepa is across to keep out a free kick from Bennett.
FULL TIME: CARDIFF 1-2 CHELSEA
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Chelsea collecting all three points courtesy of two late goals. Heartbreak for Cardiff! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. See you next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
